XIX INTERNATIONAL AIDS Conference presents Cornelius Jones Jr.

Making his return to the nation’s capital

Broadway’s Cornelius Jones Jr.

in his new solo-show/poetic memoir

SHADOWS & LIGHTS 

“Cornelius Jones’s life is a profile in courage.”

-Washington City Paper

“...highly reflective, purposeful, and raw oral history..”

-Ramon Johnson, gaylife.about.com

“...the creation of a new form of myth among gay black men, a kind

of “Everyman” of the modern age and this community."

-Philip Fletcher, dctheatrescene.com

"impressive is Jones’ ability to transform that self-awareness into a frank,

funny, and revealing one-man show."

-Aaron Weiner, WashingtonCityPaper.com

"His minimalist writing, recalling in some ways e.e. cummings, carves out finely designed pictographs for the mind to explore."

--Pandora Scooter, CEO Fushicho Entertainment & Spoken Word Artist

“Jones' prose pops and percolates, possessing an immediacy and energy so electric… you will be on the edge of your seat, captured by the rapture of Jones' "a-to-the-men" testimonies on love and lust, hurt and healing, sadness and celebration."

- James Earl Hardy, author of the bestselling B-Boy Blues series

“Cornelius is simply masterful with the poetic word in Shadows and Lights; he writes with a fire in his soul that burns in the rhythm of his prose.  He teaches us not only how to live, but how to love - especially ourselves!”

- Lee Hayes, author of The Bad Seed, Passion Marks, and the forthcoming The First Male

What: Shadows & Lights

Who: Cornelius Jones Jr./SHADOWS & LIGHTS presented by

XIX International AIDS Conference

Where: GLOBAL VILLAGE MAINSTAGE – Washington Convention Center

801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001

When: Tuesday July 24 @ 7:00PM

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Info: www.aids2012.org - www.corneliusjonesjr.com

Press Contact: info@corneliusjonesjr.com, 917-334-7526

About Shadows & Lights

Broadway Actor Cornelius Jones Jr. brings together an intimate program of spoken word, movement, and song. Crowd favorites such as: Pump, Plié, Jump, Vulnerability, House Music and Still Swimming are performed to illustrate socially charged topics rooted in love, hope, and solidarity. In this original solo-performance Cornelius courageously shares how it is to live and survive with HIV; as a gay man and as a performing artist. Paying homage to leaders who have helped shaped him; and all the young men and women with dreams, who have grown up gay, who have become positive, and who have not had the chance to express their experiences, the performance aims to be beacon of hope in which we accept our circumstances and move on to become better for ourselves and for our community.

2010 Lorraine Hansberry Nia Award Recipient

2009 Capital Fringe Festival “Best of Fest” awarded by DCTheaterscene.com

2008 Midtown International Theater Festival Nominee:

    Outstanding Performance in a Solo-Show

Cornelius Jones Jr. 

Actor-Author-Playwright-Performance Artist-Educator

Featured in Broadway’s The Lion King &

in the LOGO and Gilead sponsored PSA:

“I AM LIVING MY TRUTH”,

which aired on MTV's LOGO Network.

Artist Information:

www.corneliusjonesjr.com

About the XIX International AIDS Conference

AIDS 2012 will bring together leading scientists, public health experts, policy makers and the HIV-affected community to translate recent momentous scientific advances into action that will address means to end the epidemic within the current context of significant global economic challenges.

The conference will have a positive impact on the HIV and AIDS response globally, and in the United States and Washington, D.C. in particular. The theme, Turning the Tide Together, captures the uniqueness of the moment, with the AIDS epidemic reaching a defining point. By acting decisively on recent scientific advances in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention, the momentum for a cure and vaccine, and the continuing evidence of the ability to scale up key interventions in the most-needed settings, we now have the potential to change the course of HIV and AIDS.  Turning the Tide Together captures the current sense of hope and the renewed optimism that a change of course in the HIV epidemic is possible. it also serves as an urgent call to action. It acknowledges that seizing this potential and actually turning the tide on HIV will require commitment and action on many levels: that each and every stakeholder in the AIDS response must play their roles.

Patrick Ian Polks new film The Skinny premieres in Washington, DC & Atlanta

"The Skinny" Exclusive
One Week Engagement Begins April 6th in Washington, DC & Atlanta, GA

THE SKINNY opens Friday, April 6th for an exclusive one-week engagement in Atlanta at the Midtown Art Cinema (931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308) and Washington D.C. at the E Street Cinema (555 11th Street NW, Washington DC 20004) with more cities to follow. We will be having a "Meet and Greet" with the director and the cast on Friday, April 6th at E Street Cinema at 7:30pm and 9:45pm. In Atlanta, we will be having a "Meet and Greet" with Polk and the cast at the Midtown Art Cinema on April 7th at 7:30 and 9:45pm.

From the director of cult classics PUNKS and NOAH'S ARC, comes the much-anticipated third feature film from Patrik-Ian Polk THE SKINNY, a sharply scripted comedy about a group of four young, black, gay men Magnus, Sebastian, Kyle, Joey and their lesbian best friend, Langston. They arrange to meet up in New York City one year after their graduation from Brown University. Their plans for a weekend of fun start off well, relaxed in each other's company as only old friends can be. But old tensions quickly resurface.

Drinking, drugs, hidden desire and the demands of promiscuity put friendship, trust and even lives at risk. In between sharp one-liners and a great soundtrack there's a few important lessons that these pleasure-seekers must learn for themselves. Written with a real sense of the demands of urban living, these bright and believable characters will remind you of someone you know. Remaining true to his past work, Polk addresses issues in THE SKINNY that face the LGBT community such as date-rape, infidelity, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
The film stars Jussie Smolett, Blake Young-Fountain, Anthony Burrell, Shanika Warren-Markland and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman. Supporting cast includes alumnus of Polk's past features such as Darryl Stephens ("Noah's Arc"), Jennia Fredrique ("Noah's Arc"), Wilson Cruz ("Noah's Arc") and Seth Gilliam ("Punks"). Also, the film introduces new actors Dustin Ross and internet sensation B. Scott.

In an exciting partnership, the film has teamed up with the Black AIDS Institute to promote the importance of health in the LGBT Community, especially in the Black and Latino communities. The Institute will sponsor appearances, receptions and panel discussions in Washington D.C. and Atlanta featuring producer/director Polk and cast members Jussie Smollett, Blake Young-Fountain and Jennia Fredrique (who all appear in the Black AIDS Institute's latest PSA campaign "Greater Than AIDS"). The Skinny director and cast will be on hand to discuss the HIV awareness story-lines in the movie and other sexual health issues of importance to the LGBT population.

"I've been involved with the Black AIDS Institute since the early days of my NOAH'S ARC television series, and I've been addressing issues of HIV and AIDS in my work since my first film PUNKS," Polk explains. "So it makes perfect sense to partner with them to promote their great cause and highlight the HIV awareness issues raised in my new film THE SKINNY."

The film also features music written and performed by Patrik-Ian Polk. With tunes that illustrate the highs and lows of the film, Polk sings with his heart and soul to capture the essence of it all. Polk was inspired by artists such as Grammy-Award winning Adele to "who had created a very personal album based on her romantic experiences," he says. Polk continues to share coyly that, "...most of the songs I wrote, although they fit very nicely in THE SKINNY, are actually about some very personal experiences with...someone very specific."

For more information, see http://www.skinnythemovie.com.
__________________________________

Advance Movie Ticket Information

Atlanta, GA - Purchase Tickets HERE

Washington, DC - Purchase Tickets HERE

White House Correspondents Dinner: Obama Takes On Trump, Birthers, The Media, And More (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama exercised his revenge Saturday after weeks of attacks from his would-be Republican challenger

Donald Trump, joking that the billionaire businessman could bring change to the White House, transforming it from a stately mansion into a tacky casino with a whirlpool in the garden.

With Trump in attendance, Obama used the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner to mock the reality TV star's presidential ambitions. The president said Trump has shown the acumen of a future president, from firing Gary Busey on a recent episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" to focusing so much time on conspiracy theories about Obama's birthplace.

After a week when Obama released his long-form Hawaii birth certificate, he said Trump could now focus on the serious issues, from whether the moon landing actually happened to "where are Biggie and Tupac?"

But then - Seth Meyer (SNL Comedian) took the stage. Donald Trump served as perhaps Meyers' biggest victim of the night. The comedian taunted him for his potential presidential candidacy, saying, "Donald Trump has said he's running for president as a Republican -- which is surprising because I thought he was running as a joke." He also teased Trump for his involvement with the Miss USA pageant, sneaking in a subtle jab at Sarah Palin: "Donald Trump owns the Miss USA pageant, which is great for Republicans because it will streamline their search for a vice president." Trump, needless to say, did not appear to crack a smile.

While complimenting the First Lady on her dashing looks, Meyers blasted the president for appearing to age quickly over the past two years. "If your hair gets any whiter, the Tea Party is going to endorse it," he quipped. Seizing on Obama's sinking approval ratings, Meyers added, "I'll tell you who could beat you: 2008 Barack Obama. You would have loved him."

Video Courtesy of WorldStarHipHop.com

Happy President's Day 2011

GLO News: 2010 Black Members of Congress on LGBT Issues

(CBC 40th Legislative Session) in Washington, DC

BET Honors Beauty IMAN for It's 4th Annual Event

On Saturday the 4th Annual BET Honors was hosted by Gabrielle Union. Celebration of special contributions of the six honorees in the arts and culture, the award show was a 2 hour event. Before the big show, the celebrities were on the red carpet of the BET Honors 2011 showing off their threads.

This inspirational award show which highlights distinguished African Americans performing at exceptional levels in their fields will premiere during Black History Month. The 2011 award ceremony were Cicely Tyson (Theatrical Arts), Jamie Foxx (Entertainer), Iman (Service), Linda Johnson Rice (Media), Herbie Hancock (Musical Arts), and historian Lonnie G. Bunch (Education).

Take a look at the red carpet of the 4th Annual BET Honors. The celebrities appear to be delighted to be part of the evening. The BET Honors will be on BET Channel on Monday, February 21 at 9:00 pm. Red Carpet Photos - Here

Iman's hair courtesy of Celebrity Hairstylist Oscar James at www.OscarJames.com

Seventh Anniversary of the National Black Justice Coalition

Today marks the Seventh Anniversary of the National Black Justice Coalition. Through trials and triumphs, NBJC has provided leadership at the intersection of race and sexuality, advocating for a world free from racism and homophobia. I reflect with gratitude on what we've achieved together over these years. We have made real progress towards a better future for Black LGBT people, evidenced in the OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit and One Nation, Working Together and that simply couldn’t have happened without supporters like you.

NBJC’s next chapter starts now. In recognition of NBJC’s years of advocacy and leadership empowering the African American LGBT community, we need you on the frontline as a stakeholder to embolden our movement. We invite you to join the Justice Society, whose members are a driving force behind NBJC's educational, organizing and advocacy programs. They are the core of our work creating a diverse alliance of LGBT people and allies dedicated to nurturing the next generation of LGBT African American leaders. It only takes a few minutes at NBJC.org/justicesociety to register your monthly donation and pledge your support toward Building Stronger Black Families.

I’ve met many of you at conferences and meetings, and your passion for justice is inspiring. As we look towards 2011, I am requesting your help to foster the next generation of Black LGBT leadership. Let’s focus that passion towards lifting up our Black LGBT brothers and sisters who are the future of this movement!

All of us are struggling during these hard economic times, even as our fight for equality goes on. NBJC will continue advocating for Black families, and we hope that you will join us. We’ve worked hard to prove ourselves, and we ask that your gift reflect your belief in NBJC. Please make your donation to NBJC today—this time is a pivotal one, and your investment in the African American LGBT movement is needed now.

Turn Your Passion INTO Action

MEGA Dream event producers Nefertiti A. Strong and Richard E. Pelzer II announced on July 19^th the first The Passion To Action Series to be held at the Bennett Career Institute, 700 Monroe NE, Washington, DC 20017 on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

The first (50) attendances to purchase a ticket will receive a FREE copy of Author Thembisa S. Mshaka book PUT YOUR DREAMS FIRST: Handle Your [entertainment] Business sponsored by Joya Cosmetics.

For more information or tickets go to ThePassionToAction.com Seats are limited. Group Discounts are available for 15 or more people.

Film/TV Casting Director and Producer Winsome Sinclair & Entertainment Branding Executive/Author Thembisa S. Mshaka have teamed up to engage, enlighten and empower professionals to discover a career in entertainment called The Passion To Action. This series created and produced by Nefertiti A. Strong and Richard E. Pelzer II of MEGA Dream asks people, ‘How will you move from Passion to Action?’ Are you doing what you truly want to do with your career? Join this dynamic duo Winsome and Thembisa as they discuss career paths, entrepreneurship, family, the entertainment industry, life and living one’s dream. Their Passion To Action weekly blog is currently posting on Essence.com to provide their online community with expertise, testimony and hard-won advice available no place else on the Web.

Stay Connected!!!

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Passion2Action and

Twitter: www.twitter.com/_Passion2Action